Pune: About 38 families of the deceased employees of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) are still awaiting the announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for corona warriors. Out of 38, cheques of compensation amount for 15 employees have already been cleared by the administration but they have not yet been handed over to the families.
After the Covid-19 pandemic started, the employees – on permanent basis as well as contractual basis – of PMC have been on the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus. So far 38 employees – including two contractual basis – have succumbed to the deadly virus while performing their official duties.
The PMC had earlier announced that families of the deceased persons would be given a compensation amount of Rs 1 crore. Of these Rs 1 crore, PMC would pay Rs 25 lakh, state government will pay Rs 25 lakh and the rest amount would be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Bima Yojana.
PMC officials had sent a proposal to grant the insurance amount to the kin of the deceased employees, however the insurance company refused the claim saying that the employees did not meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Hence the PMC decided to provide at least its own share to the grieving families in order to help them sustain the losses.
The process of issuing cheques to the families of 38 deceased employees has been going on for more than three months. About two weeks before, the administration clearance was granted to cases of 15 employees and their cheques were ready.
However, some leaders want to let the Code of Conduct for Legislative Council elections to get lifted and then hand over the cheques to the family members in a public function.
